Nuestra amiga

Language ability is not like riding a bicycle.  They say you never forget how to ride a bike and, at least in my experience, it's true.  I hadn't ridden in years, but when I hopped on a bike, it felt so natural and easy. 

I haven't spoken Spanish in 19 years and, hearing me struggle to formulate the simplest of sentences, you would never guess that I was once quite proficient (and have a dusty trophy somewhere in the attic to prove it).  In trying to dig up the buried Spanish treasure, however, I have discovered French words and phrases that have lain dormant for 10 years.  Despite the linguistic similarities of the two, it is more confusing than helpful.  The smattering of  Russian I once knew is completely obliterated.  I'm glad; I don't need another language in the mix!

It's a good thing that our guest from Mexico wants us to only speak English to her.  If our communication depended on my Spanish, it would be pretty quiet around here!  Niza already speaks English well enough that sometimes I forget it is still a lot of hard work for her, and I runallmywordstogether. 

The children are thrilled with their "big sister"  (actually, I guess the younger two could technically be her own children!).  Last night at supper, the older three fought and cried over who got to sit beside her.  They are having trouble coming to grips with the fact that Niza is not only here to learn English, but also to spend time with her boyfriend (although it helps that they like him, too).  They seem convinced that she left home and family for the express purpose of getting acquainted with the four Hershey children! 

Kate moved into Josh's room, which suits her just fine, since she hates sleeping in a room by herself.  She adores Niza; the only hard part for her is still making time to get her homework done!  Luke thinks he should wake her up in the morning, so he can see her before he leaves for school.  Josh took the household change in his toddler stride and no longer acts surprised to see her every morning.  Drew, of course, loves having a fresh audience for his chatter.  I'm sure he is a challenge to Niza, since he is a fast talker---literally and figuratively.  Her first day here, he convinced her that he is allowed to open a 2nd-floor window (no screen) and stand on the sill.  "Yes, my mommy lets me do this!" he assured her.

I'm thinkin' the rest of the winter should go pretty quickly :)